FAQ

A: The Fulbright Student award covers tuition/affiliation fees as well as a monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses. The grant also includes accident/sickness insurance and covers international travel costs to and from the U.S. (roundtrip ticket)

In addition, the Fulbright Commission offers all the grantees one day Orientation Program as pre-departure assistance, in July. While in the U.S., the Fulbright grantees receive further support from the Institute of International Education (IIE).

A: Recently 10 Fulbright Student awards have been offered to Romanian applicants. The number of grants depends on the yearly budget of the Commission. This means that the number of awards is not fixed and can vary depending on the amount of available resource and tuition fees inflation.

A: Unfortunately, no. Each year the number of well-qualified applicants exceeds the number of grants available. It is the policy of the Commission not to give to individual applicants, to others inquiring on their behalf, or to the public generally, the specific reasons for selection or non-selection of applicants for awards.

A: The maximum funding which can be offered to one Student Award grantee is up to $35,000 for one year of study (9 months). The amount depends on the individual financial academic status of the student and the Fulbright committee’s recommendation. The grantees can contribute to covering expenses.

A: No. Candidates studying or doing research in the U.S. at the time of application are not eligible for a Fulbright grant. Fulbright Student grants are designed only for the first academic year of study.

A: The letters of recommendation will be considered only if they are sent by the deadline. Please refer to the advertisement of the current competition and also check the information about the Fulbright Student Award program posted on our website.

A: Applicants who wish to pursue studies as medical students are not eligible. Applicants with medical degrees may receive grants for research or advanced academic study, but not for internships or residencies.

A: No. Being admitted by an American university is not a prerequisite for the Romanian applicants to Fulbright Student Award. However the candidates are encouraged to mention their university options in the application form. After the Fulbright selection process is concluded, the Institute of International Education in New Your (IIE) will team up with the Fulbright Commission for the admission and affiliation of the Romanian finalists to accredited U.S. universities. IIE will communicate with the U.S. universities on behalf of the Romanian finalists. The U.S. universities are established for each nominated finalist on the basis of a submission plan proposed by IIE and agreed by the finalist. Finalist’s initial preferences will be considered as well, depending on the program suitability and financial flexibility of the university proposed by the candidate.

A: If an applicant has or will receive a PhD prior to his/her Fulbright year in the U.S., she/he is strongly recommended to apply in the Senior (postdoctoral) category. Please check the timeline along with the information referring to the Fulbright Senior (postdoctoral) Award on our website.

A: All non-U.S. Fulbright grantees are required to travel on "J" visas under Exchange-Visitor Program (Number G-1-00001) for the duration of their financial sponsorship. As a condition of “J” visa - after completion of the academic program, all students must come back to Romania and live in the home country for two years before being eligible to immigrate, apply for permanent residence, or a work permit, in the United States.

A: As a rule, this message is intended to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements. If you follow the online instructions for Romanian Student Award applicants and the information included in the official competition announcement (pls. check our website), you do not need to contact the Commission; you may go on with your application.

A: Along the admission and affiliation process the Romanian Student Award finalists are strongly advised to avoid communication on topics such as admission process, financial matters, funding, and visa issues with the U.S. university representatives. The admission and affiliation process to the U.S. universities is managed by the Fulbright Commission and the Institute of International Education in New York and all these matters will be agreed with the U.S. universities by these two organizations. Personal communication with U.S. universities would jeopardize admission and affiliation, leading to cancellation of the grant.

A: Yes. The Fulbright grants are designed for graduate students intending to pursue non-degree research programs or master’s study in the U.S. However, students in their final year of undergraduate study are also allowed to apply, provided they receive the graduation diploma by September (the year of application) and can demonstrate this with relevant documents such as complete transcripts and diploma/certificate of graduation.

A: No. Applicants are required to be present at the interview, which is held in Bucharest in the first half of September (the year of application). This is an absolute requirement of the program as the interview is considered a significant component of the Fulbright competition.

A:For the peer screening, the applications are reviewed by two specialists in their respective field (as a rule, an American and a Romanian specialist). The peer evaluation of the professional level of the applicant's proposal is based on the following criteria: importance of the proposed topic to the home country and to the field, clarity and value of the required essays, feasibility of the proposal, academic credentials, evidence that research in the U.S. is necessary to fulfill the proposed goals and plans to implement the acquired professional experience or disseminate research findings in Romania after conclusion of the grant.

As to the interview stage – a nomination committee composed of American and Romanian specialists will evaluate the candidates focusing on specific aspects such as motivation, adaptability, project impact and benefit for the home country. As a rule, the committee members are senior academics and accomplished professionals, U.S. Embassy representatives, and Fulbright alumni.

A: The letters of recommendation should provide accurate, relevant information and add to the activities and accomplishments in the resume or to the ideas emphasized in the applicant’s essays. The three letters requested to Fulbright applicants will include: applicant’s full name, field of study and country of application as well as recommender’s contacts, full name, title and signature along with a brief description of recommender’s qualifications. The reference should also include: recommender’s insight of the applicant’s skills and academic performance (at individual and group level), along with specific examples of strengths and qualifications; an evaluation of the applicant’s commitment to the field and ability to handle the major concepts and themes of the program; comments on the applicant’s character, emotional maturity, responsibility and exercise of leadership, sense of fair-play; comments on the achievability of the proposed study/research objectives; reasons why the applicant deserves the Fulbright grant and why his/her presence in the U.S. is necessary. The reviewers expect to find evidence that the applicant has attained high academic level and excellence in his/her field of knowledge.

A: Approach recommenders a few months ahead of the application period so that they have enough time to write the letter. Provide them with an updated version of your resume or CV, the profile of the institution/department you intend to apply, as well as other useful documents such as transcripts. We also suggest that recommenders read the applicant’s statement of purpose. The references should come from university professors and/or other acknowledged Romanian or foreign professionals, usually from academics who know/have known you well in class and from people who know you well outside class (professional environment as well as extracurricular activities or volunteering). Stay in touch with your recommenders throughout the process and make sure you provide whatever information they need.

A: The online application form is universal for all countries participating in the Fulbright program and can be accessed any time. However each country has its own timeline and applicants are expected to strictly obey the rules established by the Fulbright Commission in charge with the respective national program.

A: Yes. Student Fulbrighters can be accompanied by family members. However the Fulbrighter must provide evidence, such as personal declaration and bank statement, to demonstrate that dependents can sustain themselves, regardless of Fulbright grant that serves only for grantee’s study purposes. Grantees accompanied by dependents must provide adequate health and accident insurance for the accompanying family. Failure to do so violates the terms and conditions of award and may result in termination of the grantee’s program.

A: Recently 8 Fulbright Senior awards have been offered to Romanian applicants. This means that the number of awards is not fixed and can vary depending on the amount of available resource and the yearly budget of the Commission.

A:The Fulbright Senior Award offers a monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses, accident/sickness insurance and a professional allowance. The award also covers the international travel costs to and from the U.S. (roundtrip ticket).

An amount is also assigned if dependents accompany the grantee more than 80% of the length of the grant.

In addition, the Fulbright Commission offers all the grantees one day Orientation Program as pre-departure assistance, in July. While in the U.S., the Fulbright grantees receive further support from the Council of International Exchanges of Scholars (CIES).

A: All Fulbright Senior applicants are strongly encouraged to attach invitations from their U.S. host university from the very beginning. The presence of the invitation may add to the value of the application in terms of feasibility and significance of project. However the invitation may come after the deadline of application, no later than December.

A: Unfortunately, no. Each year the number of well-qualified applicants exceeds the number of grants available. It is the policy of the Commission not to give to individual applicants, to others inquiring on their behalf, or to the public generally, the specific reasons for selection or non-selection of applicants for awards.

A: Unfortunately, no. It is essential for the candidates to be present at the interview, which is held in Bucharest in early January. This is an absolute requirement of the program as the interview is considered a significant component of the Fulbright competition.

A:For the peer screening, the applications are reviewed by two specialists in their respective field (as a rule, an American and a Romanian specialist). The peer evaluation of the professional level of the applicant's proposal is based on the following criteria: significance of the proposed theme to the field; importance of the project to the home country; clarity of the proposal; academic credentials; evidence that research/teaching in the U.S. is necessary to accomplish the project; feasibility of project in terms of available time and resources; plans to disseminate research findings or teaching experience upon return.

Concerning the interview stage – a nomination committee composed of American and Romanian specialists will evaluate the candidates focusing on specific aspects such as motivation, adaptability, project impact and benefit for home country. As a rule, the committee members are senior academics and accomplished professionals, U.S. Embassy representatives, and Fulbright alumni.

A: Yes. The number of months suggested by the Fulbright applicant will be finally approved by the Fulbright Board of Directors and can be condensed if it is considered that the project could be fulfilled in a shorter period. Length of the grant can also be reduced depending on the funding the Commission receives each year.

A: Yes. Senior Fulbrighters can be accompanied by family members. If dependents accompany the grantee more than 80% of the length of the grant an amount is also assigned as a category of the Fulbright grant. Grantees accompanied by dependents must provide adequate health and accident insurance for the family. Failure to do so violates the terms and conditions of award and may result in termination of the grantee’s program.

A: The online application form is universal for all countries participating in the Fulbright program and can be accessed any time. However each country has its own timeline and applicants are expected to strictly obey the rules established by the Fulbright Commission in charge with the respective national program.

A: As a rule, this message is intended to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements. If you follow the online instructions for the Visiting Scholar Award applicants and the information included in the official competition advertisement for Romanian citizens (pls. check our website), you do not need to contact the Commission; you may go on with your application.

A: All non-U.S. Fulbright grantees are required to travel on "J" visas under Exchange-Visitor Program (Number G-1-00005) for the duration of their financial sponsorship. As a condition of “J” visa - after completion of the academic program, all scholars must come back to Romania and live in the home country for two years before being eligible to immigrate, apply for permanent residence, or a work permit, in the United States.